I was shopping for dish soap and looking at the cheap stuff and noticed Benzene in the ingredients. Benzene is highly toxic, and causes liver damage, depression, cancer and is really bad! Who ever thought to put it in dish soap, the stuff you wash your baby's bottles in? So I did a little research and it turns out that Triclosan--the active ingredient in antibacterial soaps of all kinds, even shampoos and body washes--is a benzene derivative and causes cancer and lots of other health problems. While we are worried about
water quality and pcbs in baby bottles and other containers, we are slathering ourselves and our dishes and house down with benzene. And the residue from these soaps remains on what is washed, so we are drinking the stuff and absorbing it in our skin. This is really bad.
This may be something as we fight getting the flu that we really need to be careful of. I am switching to citrus based and all natural non-antibacterial soaps and using the hot water and scrubbing to fight germs. Dr. Bronners is looking real good right now. Now I have alot to throw away. If anyone is interested--there is info and actually (surprise, not!) a lawsuit out on the stuff. http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/triclosan
It lists the products containing benzene, from mouthwash and toothpaste to soaps to fabrics and childrens toys. There are plenty of non-benzene containing alternatives, but its good to know which ones are affected as this issue isn't widely publicized.